Launch Pad: Starring 'Spec Ops' and Spidey

Savor this week, video game fans. This will be the last one in quite a while in which we will be greeted with an abundance of fresh titles and downloads to choose from.

Players may get a couple of gems in the next couple of months. Both NCAA Football and Madden NFL return in July and August respectively, and there's a solid selection of downloadable titles coming, such as a remastered Tony Hawk Pro Skater. Otherwise, it's another quiet summer.

As for this week, we've got a good group of new games in stores, and an even better selection of digital option. Let's dig in.

Retail titles launching June 26

Spec Ops: The LinePublisher: 2K GamesPlatform(s): PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360Details: First-person shooter stars Captain Martin Walker as he searches for a missing battalion in Dubai. Along with a likely assortment of gun-toting enemies, Walker will have to battle furious sandstorms. Expect both a single-player adventure and class-based multiplayer.

The Amazing Spider-ManPublisher: ActivisionPlatform(s): Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii, PS3, Xbox 360Details: The Marvel Comics wall-crawler is free once again. After two straight action-heavy games that kept the superhero enclosed, developers have opened up New York City, allowing Spidey to swing across skylines and tackle numerous challenges.

London 2012Publisher: SegaPlatform(s): PC, PS3, Xbox 360Details: It's the official video game of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. It will feature 45 events and support for PlayStation Move and Kinect. Let's just hope it's better than Sega's 2008 endeavor.

Digital downloads

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim -- Dawnguard*Publisher: Bethesda SoftworksPlatform(s): Xbox 360Release Date: June 26Details: There's a reason for the asterisk. Although Bethesda noted the download would launch this month at E3, they didn't confirm a specific date. Several reports suggest Tuesday, and since we're at the last week in June, that sounds like a safe bet. Here's what we do know: Players get to roam the world of Skyrim as a vampire. Our hands-on preview has more details.

Mass Effect 3: Extended CutPublisher: Electronic ArtsPlatform(s): PC, PS3, Xb0x 360Release Date: June 26Details: The moment fans of the BioWare role-playing epic have all been waiting for: a download that ties the loose ends related to the game's controversial ending. The big question is whether this will be enough to satisfy some frustrated players.

Double Dragon IIPublisher: Aksys GamesPlatform(s): Nintendo WiiRelease Date: Available nowDetails: Billy and Jimmy team up once again in this classic side-scrolling brawler. The duo battles street gangs, ninjas and mutant creatures through nine levels.

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About Mike Snider

Mike Snider began covering the video game industry during the Super Nintendo-Sega Genesis clash in 1992. An original pinball wizard, he eventually was seduced by Robotron: 2084 and Tempest. These days he is a fan of action/shooters and lives out his Keith Moon fantasies playing a mean drum kit on music games. More about Mike.

About Brett Molina

Brett Molina has been writing about video games for USA TODAY since 2005. He is well-versed in Madden NFL, the fighting genre and first-person shooters. The first video game he played was Asteroids at a local arcade. He has been hooked ever since. More about Brett.